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SCA Educator

 

The mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic, and cultural resources.

 

Come work at the Nature Interpretive Center nestled into our beautiful forested park on Staten Island! You’ll learn how to teach a large variety of programs, from our weekly toddler storytimes to maple syruping to investigating pond macroinvertebrates! SCA Members help run monthly public programs and, during the week, lead school field trips.

 

Because of the density of development, the New York City region has limited local open space and natural resource areas. There is a steadily increasing interest in accessing such resources by the general public and local schools. NYC public schools are under increasing pressure to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming. In the continuing wake of the pandemic, people have flocked to parks. New patrons to our parks increasingly need accessible educational resources that promote stewardship and safe recreation practices.

 

Location 

Staten Island, NY

 

Schedule 

January 26, 2026 - September 11, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The AmeriCorps members will conduct stewardship initiatives and educate the public about how to be better stewards. Members will also encourage passive recreation in the Parks by conducting outreach and providing information at the Nature Interpretive Center, helping support our programs and enhancing visitor experience. Duties include:

 

Assist educators in planning, setting up, teaching, and evaluating in-person programs and workshops. Lead interpretive hikes on forested trails.

 

Design education content that motivates, inspires, and informs across a wide variety of digital platforms using a variety of media.

 

Assist with the creation of program materials.

 

Keep materials organized and catalogued to maintain inventory.

 

Conduct research and perform field work to support education programs, community science, and stewardship such as wildlife surveys and invasive species removal.

 

Manage a farm plot and provide care and upkeep of resident chickens at the historic Gericke Farm to support programming.

 

Assist with maple syrup production and education.

 

Engage in outreach to principals, teachers, and the public.

 

Help to design and distribute marketing materials.

 

Aid in volunteer recruitment and coordination.

 

Represent NY State Parks at large events.

 

Assist with general Nature Interpretive Center upkeep including, but not limited to: designing and creating new exhibits, handling and caring for live animals, garden maintenance, greeting and interacting with visitors, and composting.

 

Travel to other State Parks throughout NYC to assist with special events.

 

The following goals are in mind for the candidate:

Goal 1: Write, prepare, conduct, and evaluate one new program or event at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.

 

Goal 2: Create one exhibit to be installed in the Nature Interpretive Center.

 

Goal 3: Design, plan, and implement one lasting impact project at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.

 

Marginal Duties 

  • Spend at least one workday each month with the region’s Stewardship Team removing invasive species from Parks and conducting research.
  • Other duties as assigned by management based on the facilities’ operational needs.

 

Required Qualifications 

  • Member must be willing and able to speak publicly to audiences of all ages, from infants to adults.
  • A creative background in art, design, graphic arts, marketing, etc. is very helpful in this position.
  • Knowledge of local species and ecology.

 

Preferred Qualifications 

Fluency in a second language is a plus.

 

Hours 

40 per week

 

Living Accommodations 

Housing Provided

 

Compensation  

Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member’s term of service: $5,176.50 Amount of Living Allowance member will receive: $440/week All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

 

Additional Benefits 

  • First Aid/CPR
  • Interpretive Skills
  • Leave No Trace Level 1 Certification
  • Wilderness First Aid Training
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Health Insurance
  • AmeriCorps: Eligible/Required

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.